Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
Q2. Assess the role of internal party elections in strengthening democratic culture in India. Highlight the key institutional challenges involved. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
In the context of recurring debates on inner-party democracy, leadership centralisation, and the role of political parties as foundational institutions of India’s constitutional democracy.Key demand of the question
The question requires assessing how internal party elections contribute to strengthening democratic culture in India and identifying the institutional, legal, and organisational challenges that limit their effectiveness.Structure of the answer
Introduction
Briefly establish the link between the quality of democracy and the internal functioning of political parties, highlighting parties as intermediaries between citizens and the State.Body
- Role of internal party elections in deepening democratic culture through accountability, participation, leadership renewal, and legitimacy.
- Institutional challenges such as weak legal enforceability, leadership centralisation, opaque membership systems, and tensions with party autonomy.
Conclusion
Emphasise the need for balanced reforms that strengthen internal democracy without undermining freedom of association, linking it to the long-term health of Indian democracy.
